Directed by: Stephanie Johnes
Runtime: 95 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Rating: ★★★★☆
Maya and the Wave is a feature length documentary about Brazilian big wave surfer Maya Gabeira — a woman whose pursuit of recognition in one of the most male-dominated sports unpacks a larger story of resilience, identity, and perseverance.
At first glance, Maya and the Wave, produced by Stephanie Johnes, is a sports documentary about a female surfer chasing the world’s most dangerous waves. But what unfolds is actually a story about human frailty and resilience, passion and promise. The film follows Maya Gabreira through her aftermath of a near-fatal wipeout at Portugal’s renowned Nazaré, a surf break known for waves the size of cascading mountains. Rather than retreat after a life-threatening hold down and severe injuries including spinal and foot fractures, Maya returns — not only to surf again, but to claim her place in history by setting the world record for the largest wave ever surfed by a woman.
Johnes’ direction allows Gabeira’s personality, vulnerability, and grit to shine forth. Cinematic contrasts are presented through dramatic footage of some of the world’s most challenging surf breaks including clips of Gabriera’s most standout moments with interviews spotlighting the harsh realities of the male dominated surf world’s perspective on female big wave surfing. Maya’s fight isn’t just about waves — she’s battling an industry reluctant to take her seriously, despite her talent and courage.
What makes the film personal and authentic are interviews in which Gabeira speaks candidly about her fear, physical traumas, media criticism, and the mental toll of constantly needing to prove her worth. In addition, we see footage of Garrett MacNamara speaking to the male perspective of women in the big wave lineup and hear the words from Laird Hamilton that strike deep into Maya’s ability to rise above criticism to fight her way to the top. This documentary doesn’t portray Gabriera as a hapless victim but rather as a fierce protagonist who is ambitious, stubborn, brave, and, above all, human.
Visually, on the big screen - we viewed it at Maya and the Wave's Portland ME premiere -the film holds tremendous drama and celebrates the raw power of wild, oceanic energy. Sweeping drone shots of Nazaré’s monstrous surf contrasts sharply with the quiet moments in Maya’s life. The overall sound design captures the thunder of the sea and the internal silence of personal doubt. If you are viewing the film during one of the upcoming global Live Stream dates, be aware that many of the personal conversations between Maya and her family are held in Spanish, so it is recommended that you turn on the subtitles to keep abreast of important information.
Maya and the Wave isn’t just about a surfer or even a sport. It’s a tale of resilience and defiance. This film about what it means to carve your own path in a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. It is both a tribute to Maya Gabeira’s legacy as a big wave world record holder and a testament to the power of courage, tenacity and importance of self-belief.
Whether you are a staunch surfer or you’ve never paddled out past the break, Maya and the Wave is worth watching for the inspiration embedded within the film's storyline to get after one’s dreams, no matter how big (or treacherous) the obstacles may be.
